ESL 166

Simple Present vs. Present Progressive

Wong

Uses of the Simple Present and Present Continuous

Simple Present Uses

General truths, to show that

something is consistently true
Brazilians speak Portuguese.

Present Continuous Uses

Action in progress at this moment

Suzy is watching TV right now.

Long term action in progress

Regular activities, habits,

around the present time /not

repeated actions
Regis goes to work Monday to

exactly at this moment

Nowadays, some men are staying at

Friday.

home with their children instead of

going to work.

Feelings and emotions/mental

processes/senses/possession
(non-actions)
a) Martin loves Emma.
b) We understand the
grammar lesson.
c) That music sounds lively.
d) Robin and Regis have 3
children.

Time words

every day/week/year
never
ever
always
usually
often
sometimes
once a month/day/year

Time words

now
these days
right now
at the moment
today
this month
nowadays

Directions: Go back to the article A Healthy Brain. Find and copy example sentences
from the reading for each use below.
Example: One example sentence with the simple present tense as a general truth.

ESL 166

Simple Present vs. Present Progressive

Wong

For example, the chemicals in blueberries improve your memory and ability to learn.
1. Two example sentences with the simple present tense as a general truth.
Sentence #1: ________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
Sentence #2: ________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
2. One example of simple present tense as a regular activity, habit or repeated
action.
Sentence:
3. One example of simple present as a non-action (feeling/emotion, mental
process, senses, possession)
Sentence #1: ________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
4. Two examples of present progressive as an action in progress at this moment.
Sentence#1: ________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
Sentence #2: ______________________________________________________________
5. One example of present progressive as a long term action in progress/not
exactly at this moment.
Sentence: ___________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________